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    • New York

    MARK WITTENBERG, Architect, Director of Projects

    Opening his own studio in March 2003, Mark has completed more than three hundred home and commercial projects.  He strives to redefine the traditional responses to the particular set of obsticals each project presents. His approach to these projects begins with consulting with his clients and then focusing on a custom designed solution.  He strongly believes that open communication between the architect and the client is the key to any successful project.

    RICHARD BOX, Architect, LEED AP, Vice President

    Richard Box has been a practicing registered architect for 25 years involved in the design, construction document preparation and construction phase of many different building types. His commercial projects include high-rise office buildings, hospitals, and power plants. The education projects include schools, lecture halls and school renovations. He has been involved in the design and construction administration of many home renovation projects.

    Mr. Box received a Masters in Architecture from Washington University and a B.A. from University of Texas, Arlington. He is registered with NCARB. A native Texan, he has lived in Port Washington, New York for 20 years with his wife, Laura Montllor and their two daughters.

    patti-locurcio-2009PATRICIA LOCURCIO, Director of Communications

    Patti is a former legal assistant carrying with her 20 years experience.  She is a dedicated wife and mother of three.  Patti has proven to be a natural educator and a communicator in the best sense of the word.  She is an excellent team player, contributing creatively and actively.  Her personality, integrity and self- motivation combined with her effervescent demeanor makes her the perfect communications representative for HFH.  Patti lives with Multiple Sclerosis and despite her having ample excuse, she maintains a hectic pace and she has a “no quit” attitude that sets the example for everybody.   Patti is an excellent “messenger”  to the public for our story.

     

    MICHAEL MORBILLO, Architect

    Michael is the owner and principal architect of Enspire Design Group, PLLC, Architects & Planners located in Ronkonkoma, New York, which he established in 2005 after working fifteen years in his profession. He maintains a general practice in architecture with an emphasis on commercial and residential renovations. He has designed many project types including offices, restaurants, retail stores, churches, new and renovated residences, industrial and municipal buildings. Michael has established a mission for Enspire Design Group which is “to provide clients with a peaceful service experience and a beautiful environment that will improve their lives”. Michael helps his clients prepare a game plan for their entire project. http://www.enspirepllc.com/

    Michael grew up in Nesconset, New York, and graduated with a Bachelor of Architecture  Degree from the New York Institute of Technology in Old Westbury, New York. In addition to his main office in Ronkonkoma, Michael also maintains a small office out of his home in St. James where he lives with his wife and two children. Michael enjoys donating his time to community groups and charities. Michael says “Having a daughter who suffers from a life threatening disease, I know the importance of receiving help from people in my community. Volunteering my services is a way for me to give back what I received and provide necessary assistance to people who are facing serious challenges in their lives.”

     

    MARY SNYDER

    Mary Snyder is an Architectural Project Manager with over 20 years experience, as well as a former PSIA Certified Downhill Ski Instructor working with disabled children. Architectural projects include office interiors, hospitals, restaurants, zoo and aquarium projects.

    Ms. Snyder studied Architecture at S.U.N.Y. Buffalo and New York Institute of Technology and has skied extensively though out the United States, Canada, Europe and South America. She is the hostess and organizer of the annual HomeFreeHome Garage Sale, and has lived in Port Washington since 1992.

     

    cicciariJERRY CICCIARI, A.I.A., Architect, C.S.I.

    Jerry is an architect with over 26 years of experience and specializes in both light commercial and custom residential construction.  His full service architecture firm is located in Commack, NY.  Jerry is an active member of the American Institute of Architects and has served on the Long Island Chapter Board of Directors.  For two years he served as President of the Construction Specification Institute’s Long Island chapter. He is also a member of the New York Society of Professional Architects and National Fire Protection Association. His architecture degree is from New York Institute of Technology. Jerry is a Vietnam Veteran and served in the Army as a flight engineer.  Active in many volunteer organizations, Jerry says “ I love doing this, I was raised as a foster child and I want to give back all of the love that my foster parents gave me 

     

    ELENA BOX, Social Media Marketing

    Elena Box graduated from SUNY Fredonia in 2011 with Bachelors of Fine Arts in Theatre focusing on dramatic performance and writing.  She studied in London at Middlesex University and is certified in Stage Combat.   She teaches yoga and takes great interest in helping her students expand their practice.

    As a comedian Elena has appeared at the New York Comedy Club, Comedy Village , the Eastville Comedy Club and various stand-up venues.

    Elena has been an active member HomeFreeHome for 5 years, enthusiastically volunteering her time Marketing/Communications Assistant. She worked at the HFH booth at many Expos and at presentations to community groups.  She has been responsible for reviewing and processing intake applications, helped us with her excellent writing skills on website articles and marketing pieces, and applied her expertise in filmmaking and music by producing HFH videos.  Her help with social media connections has been invaluable.


    LINDA SUSSMANSussman headshot, AIA

    Linda has a BS in Architecture from Ohio State University and, in 1987, became a licensed architect.  In 1992, she established her own architectural business.  Her practice is varied and consists of designing both residential additions and renovations and professional space for doctors, dentists and lawyers. Linda also lectures at dental conferences about dental office design.  She is a founding member and coordinator for the monthly meeting of the Nassau County Chapter of the Small Projects Forum of the American Institute of Architects.

    Linda enjoys her volunteer work and has served as the President of the Achot Group of Hadassah from 2000 through 2002.  She presently is an Area Vice President on the Nassau Region Executive Board. Linda will also serve as president of Old Westbury Hebrew Congregation for the next two years.  Linda lives in East Hills with her very supportive husband Howard and their three children Joshua, 21, Evan, 19, and Nicole, 14.

     

    JOSEPH (Jay) McGOVERN,  MA OTR/L

    Jay has been working with the adult population for over 10 years in rehabilitation centers and in Home Care settings. His Occupational Therapy skills focus on an individual’s abilities and skills necessary to participate in their daily tasks of dressing, hygiene, leisure participation, and managing within their home. By working with HomeFreeHome, Jay helps devlelop creative solutions to promote accessibility to the home, visitability of relations, and the reduction of barriers for safe mobility. By assisting in the “Home Modification” process, Jay will work by incorporating the physical, social, and economic needs for a safe and appropriate client/environment fit. 

    LISE THORNBERG, Architect

    Lise’s architecture practice is on Fire Island and specializes in residential work.  She is a graduate of Pratt Institute.

    JANICE MILLER, Architect

    Janice has practiced architecture in Port Washington for 20 years and specializes in residential renovations.

     

     

     

    ELENA GERMANI

    Elena Germani has been working in the financial services industry for over a decade and currently practices as a fee-based financial planner with the Center for Wealth Preservation.  She received her Bachelor of Arts from Fordham University, served on the Board of the Nassau County chapter of the Society of Financial Service Professionals and the Board of the Brittany Maier and Friends Foundation.  She is a member of the Long Island Chapter of the New York State Home Care Providers, Inc and the Long Island Chapter of the U.S. Green Building Council.

    Elena brings a unique perspective to the financial planning process.  She has made a commitment to the Special Needs Community and helps families develop a Life Care Plan to assure the best quality of life for their loved ones through a comprehensive and holistic planning process that considers financial, legal and social issues.

    Elena lives in Nassau County, has a son in the Air Force and her daughter is a student at Boston University.  In her spare time, she enjoys playing soccer, softball and racquetball.  In addition, she volunteers as a coach for the Police Athletic League (PAL).

    Elena Germani is a registered representative of and offers securities, investment advisory and financial planning and investment advisory services offered through MML Investors Services, Inc. Member SIPC.  (6800 Jericho Turnpike Suite 202W Syosset, NY  11791 (516)364.4203)  Elena can be reached at 516.682.3394

    JOELLE LICHTMAN

    Joelle Lichtman graduated from Cornell University in 2011 with a Master of Arts in Design focusing on Interior Design for the Senior Population.  She also earned her Bachelor of Science in Design and Environmental Analysis and a Gerontology Certificate at Cornell University.

    Joelle has the ability, training, and education to see what improvements can be made to a space to make it safer for older adults.  The number of older adults is rapidly increasing and the vast majority (over 80% according to AARP survey) wish to remain in their current home for the rest of their lives.  It is important to ensure their home environment is a safe place for them to live.  To continue her education in this field, Joelle has been an active member of the AIA Design for Aging Committee since February 2011.

    As a Certified Aging-in-Place Specialist (CAPS) and a LEED AP BD+C, Joelle takes great interest in creating environments designed for user comfort and safety.  She is also interested in the areas of Universal Design, Healthcare Design and Active Design.

    Jake CaramicoJAKE CARAMICO

    Jake is the Regional Manager of Primerica Financial Services, a Citi Company. Jake has been in the Service Industry for over 15 years. He specializes in providing the education needed to help both families and businesses identify, and implement practical solutions toward Financial Wellness. Jake enjoys working with people and is dedicated to helping them achieve financial security. He has also customized various educational workshops for the employees and volunteers of several Local and State Organizations. One of his long term goals is to positively affect the financial futures of over 10,000 families by providing them each with a complimentary financial game-plan. He is available to provide confidential and comprehensive counseling for a multitude of financial service needs. Jake is a winner of the Prestigious “Pioneer Club Jacket” Award for Financial Services/ Total Marketing Program.

    He says “Honestly, I don’t have any specific reasons why I volunteer with HFH. I just feel like my gut is telling me it is the right thing to do. I see the potential in helping people. This is an opportunity and would like to make a difference in some way, even if it is in a small way. I believe many hands make light work and commend the selflessness of the organization”


    ANTHONY McCABE, President, Genesis Creations Contracting, Ltd.

    Genesis Creations Contracting, Ltd. is a family owned and operated business since March of 2006, specializing in creating the most accessible living space in any home.Home safety is of the utmost importance and prevention is a major part of that safety. Our specialties include custom ramps and platforms, true barrier free accessible bathrooms, door widening, grab bars and any other form of residential adaptation need.

    Genesis Creations is an approved Department of Health E Mod provider for Medicaid as well as a vendor for local municipalities and local governments. We are members of the International Code Council, and are licensed and insured in Nassau and Suffolk Counties and licensed and bonded in the five boroughs. Our designs and plans have been used by OMRDD, The Nassau County Department of Social Services, The Community Development Corporation of Long Island as well as the New York State Department of Health.  Please visit our web site www.genesiscreationscontracting.com and www.grabbars.li .

    Virginia Greene pixVIRGINIA  GREENE, Architect PC

    Virginia A. Greene is an architect and published author.  She established her firm in Huntington, NY in 1996, which focuses on historic restoration and adaptive re-use. Virginia received grants from the Graham Foundation and the American Institute of Architects (AIA) for the research on a book entitled The Architecture of Howard Van Doren Shaw, published in 1998.

    During the past five years Virginia assisted local historic organizations in obtaining state grants from the NYS Department of Parks & Recreation and Historic Preservation. She develops similar grants for the Society for the Preservation of Long Island Antiquities (SPLIA), and assisted a Long Island community organization in obtaining a National Endowment for the Arts grant to create a computer historiography for New Cassel.

    Her recent work in competitions have produced three winning entries - Second Place AIA Long Island Chapter Old Field Village Hall Competition,Second Place AIA Long Island Chapter Heckscher Museum Renovation and Two current Brooklyn Navy Yard Development Corp. entries and historic consultant for Sands Street Gate House Façade Restoration, and Historic 1860’s Paymasters Building Restoration.

    Virginia writes for McGraw Hill Construction division providing accredited Continuing Education Programs for Architectural Record.  She has contributed to architectural viewpoints for Newsday’s new Sunday series, Newsday Opinion. Virginia has enjoyed voluntary positions throughout her career focusing on architecture education for the general public. Virginia is currently completing her seventh year serving the AIA Long Island Chapter Executive Board as executive member.

    yellow_headerBecome a member today and help improve your neighbor’s lives. For more information, please download our volunteer interview .